Harmony in Haydale – Friday Fictioneers – 02/28/14

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It’s time for Friday Fictioneers. Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff Fields for graciously hosting this group every week, and to Sandra Crook for this week’s inspirational photo.

My 100-word story follows. For other fabulous stories from the Fictioneers, click HERE.

Why not give it a try yourself? Everyone is welcome to participate.

Genre: Humor (100 words)

Copyright – Sandra Crook

Harmony in Haydale

When farmers fled the land, their flocks followed. And so Hemsdale became Haydale, not to be confused with “hay bale.”

Goats milled about happy and lost. Cows, paying no mind to the daily business, clogged the main arteries for hours, stopping time as they chewed hay incessantly. Chickens fluttering on tavern tabletops became tomorrow’s stew.

The pungent aroma cloaking the village became impossible to escape, and around the clock fecal maintenance created many jobs. Villagers wagered bets over the slaughtering of one’s favorite sheep, and thus, blood detail was added to the duties.

Whimsical and fun, Amy! I got a little confused at the start… when you say the farmers and flocks fed the land, I imagined it all abandoned. Then I caught up again, and loved the playful imagery! Nice!

It’s interesting, I always think details in writing are either incredibly boring and over-used, or so well-positioned that you’ve barely realized that you’ve just read one. I think you’re in the latter camp, even when describing “fecal maintenance” – that’s a phrase and a detail that says a lot.

One summer my brother worked for parks and rec. He referred to himself as a weed control engineer. And when my children were small I called myself secretary of the interior. Titles are fun and I think you could’ve titled your story “Wild in the Streets”. Quite a chaotic scene. Good one.

Weed control engineer, I love it. Here can we have “Fecal Maintenance Engineer.” Yeah, I like it. The title of Engineer can enhance any job title.Secretary of the Interior is also quite weighty! Thanks, Rochelle.